Report: Browns Executive Passes On Fins GM Job
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins' search for a new general manager may be getting closer to a conclusion, but a one time top candidate for the job has opted out of the running.
According to CBSSports.com's Jason LaCanfora, Cleveland Browns executive Ray Farmer declined to interview a second time for the Fins job.
The Dolphins reportedly hoped to interview two finalists for the position as early as this weekend. According to the CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, the team was set to call all seven candidates who have interviewed for the position to let them know their status.
The Dolphins have interviewed Farmer, Tennessee's Lake Dawson, Pittsburgh's Omar Khan, Tampa Bay's Dennis Hickey, Detroit's Brian Xanders, and in-house candidate Brian Gaine, according to the Herald.
According to LaCanfora, the odds-on favorite now appears to be Gaine, if for no other reason than others continue to pass on the job.
Whoever takes the job is walking into an uncertain future with the team. Reports of a power struggle between Dolphins executive Dawn Aponte, head coach Joe Philbin, and Ireland, were alleged to be the root cause of Ireland's exit.
Aponte, Philbin, and the new general manager will all report directly to owner Stephen Ross, which could set the stage for a second power struggle as Aponte and Philbin are reportedly aligned together.
On the field, the new general manager will have a lot of work to do deciding which players to re-sign and which ones to release. Some salary cap management/contract restructuring will also likely be due, and then identifying free agents to sign and who to draft are all ahead in the next four months.
Job number one will be addressing the offensive and defensive lines. On offense, the Dolphins need a complete makeover on the line with the exception of center Mike Pouncey. Defensively, the Fins have to decide whether to re-sign Paul Soliai or Randy Starks.